Tour Guests Testimonials

We constantly receive glowing testimonials from those who have taken part in our tours. If you would like to offer a testimonial, e-mail us at testimonial@arzatravel.com.

My husband Stephen and I just returned from our trip, which included members of both our congregations: Union Temple of Brooklyn and the Garden City Jewish Center. We were gratified to be able to give our congregants a ten-day immersion into the history and beauty of the Land, as well as of the ongoing complexities of contemporary Israeli life. Our people came away with a great deal to think about and to process, but that of course is the point. We are grateful to ARZA for its willingness to work so assiduously with us to shape this trip, both with its own expert advice and in accordance with our wishes. Our madrich Yuval was sensitive to the needs of everyone in our group, and conducted himself with professionalism and great good humor. The people in the ARZA/DAAT office were solicitous, courteous, and eminently professional. For myself, one of the highest moments came during Shabbat/Chanukah morning services at HUC, when Eli Schleifer led the totally packed house in Maoz Tsur. To be there in Israel, during Chanukah, with our friends and colleagues - like-minded Reform Jews - singing Maoz Tsur, was so overwhelming to me that I was so choked up, I could hardly sing after all. Thank you ARZA/DAAT - we'll come back.
—Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman, Union Temple of Brooklyn

Thank you and Arza for a seamless and memorable trip to Eretz Israel. Cathy and Julie were amazing and Adrienne and Muki worked so nicely together you would think they were your only two tour guides and doing this together for years. I must take this opportunity to tell you that we might have had a completely different experience had we not been lucky enough to  have Muki lead us on this journey.  He was hands on and showed a genuine love for teaching Jews about the Jewish State. Muki could relate to and teach Jews of any level of knowledge (from my 11 year old  daughter to my husband who has been there 6 times and has lead groups himelf).   His humor and ability to get to know each and everyone of us along along with his hebrew word of the day was simply "sof haderech"!
—Marla (Erlich) Rosenthol and family, Huntingdon Valley, PA

Now that I have had a chance to recover a bit from the jet lag of our trip I wanted to send you a note to thank you both for all that you did to make our recent Temple trip the success that it was.  From the moment we got to Newark Airport it all came together and everyone had a wonderful time.  I thank you both and the folks in the New York office for bringing it all together on this side of the Atlantic. I especially want to thank Julie, I know that you spoke with all of the participants and they told me how you were helpful and responsive. I thank you for all that you did. There is great excitement here for our October 2008 trip. Every day I have more people telling me that they plan on joining us.  So, get ready for the next Anshe Emeth trip. 
—Rabbi Bennett Miller, Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, New Brunswick, NJ

I know you are very accustomed to leading many tours, but you were truly exceptional with our group. It was a miracle that seventy Jewish people (ages 8 through 83) had a positive life changing experience without complaint! Each day was better than the day before.This trip was extremely gratifying for me, as I saw my hopes and dreams for a successful trip actually come to fruition. As the co-chair of the trip, I worried like a Jewish mother that everything would go well.   After many meetings, phone calls and emails, our dreams did come true. Thanks to you, Frances, Cheryl, Guy ( Elad and the N.Y. office ) , Rabbi Sagal, Cantor Novick, Carolyn and David for helping make this dream a reality.  
—Ellen Barron, Temple Emanuel, Westfield, NJ  

Thank you for setting up a great trip for us.  Our family had a fantastic time and the travel arrangements and logistics were outstanding.
—Alan and Cindy Zuckerbrod, Westport, CT

Were Back ! Wow!  It was awesome! 
—Rabbi Heidi Cohen, Temple Beth Sholom, Santa Ana, CA

The tour was, in your words, "An experience of a lifetime" thanks to our guide, Ziv Cohen. He is a Five Star Guide and I can't imagine this tour without him. A dedicated professional, his knowledge and his expertise was endless. We were amazed at his "storytelling." He brought ancient characters to life.  He is well informed about current events, history and the various cultures. We were very lucky to have him as our guide. Yes. Very lucky!
—Marilyn Weinstein, Little Rock, AR

My husband and I just returned from our tour. From start to finish, it was pure joy. Many, many thanks for such wonderful arrangements. In every way, the trip was exceptional down to the surprise breakfast boxes at the Toronto airport that last morning.
–Carolyn Lipson-Walker

Perhaps the greatest asset ARZA World provides for any Reform congregation planning a trip to Israel is its firm grasp on the challenges facing the Progressive communities in Israel and the importance of religious pluralism in our people’s homeland.  ARZA World brings this knowledge to every programmatic decision, creating travel itineraries that go beyond the usual Israel cookie-cutter tour.  ARZA’s trips are not only entertaining and thrilling, they are educational and evocative.  In addition to the sites and museums you’d expect on any trip, ARZA World will lead you and your travelers to some of the greatest contemporary thinkers, spiritual leaders and community activists in Israel.  Because of this, my congregants came back home not only with a love for the people and the land of Israel, they also came back with a greater understanding of the complexities facing modern Israel.  They left inspired by the tremendous creativity and courage of our sister Progressive communities and committed to doing their part as Reform Jews in America to help shape the future of Israel.
—Rabbi Ken Chasen, Leo Baeck Temple, Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for helping organize a very special trip for our congregational “Hanukkah in Israel” trip.   Our group of 31 represented various generations, with some first-time visitors and a number of people who have been there before. The quality of the program – and the support we received for our trip – made this a memorable journey. 
—Rabbi Irwin A. Zeplowitz, The Community Synagogue, Port Washington, NY

A very big thank you for all of the ARZA organization that made the Temple Beth Sholom - December 2005 trip to Israel wonderful. Having a knowledgeable guide enhanced the experience. Having the trip lead by our Rabbi Heidi Cohen, made the trip the spiritual blessing that it was. Even though it was our second trip, nothing about it was stale or redundant. Many thanks again and again.
—Willie & Susan Jasper, Temple Beth Sholom, Santa Ana, CA

Just a note to say thank you to ARZA World for a superb tour of Israel:  I have led half a dozen such tours, and ARZA World’s arrangements were far and away the best.  There was complete cooperation.  You supplied necessary materials for events such as the entry into Jerusalem, celebration of Chanukah, and visiting of key sites where literary and background material would be helpful.  Transition to hotels and transportation was superb.  We were able to make our itinerary flexible and visit places that were not on the official itinerary but of interest to us.  You understand that intellectual and spiritual content are vital, so you make arrangements for us to meet fascinating and involved Israelis, and you furnish materials that build the Jewish and personal spiritual essence of a visit to Israel.  The added surprise of a Chanukah concert at Merkaz Shimshon shines as a highlight.
You understand the needs of liberal Jews.  Working with all the ARZA World staff has been a pleasure, because leading 27 others might be stressful, but you make it easy. So thank you for a great tour.  In making arrangements again, I’d only visit Israel through ARZA World. 
—Rabbi Leigh Lerner, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Westmount, QC

I wanted to be sure to thank you and your staff for all that you did to create such a fantastic trip for us.  Everything went exactly as planned and our group had an absolutely marvelous time.  Gilad Peled was one of the best guides I have ever worked with and the constant attention of Arin Poller ensured a flawless experience.   We're already talking about our next trip!
-Rabbi Robert Orkand, Temple Israel, Westport, CT

We are still on a high from the amazing trip--I can't thank you enough for all of your help in making this such a successful trip.
—Rabbi Richard Jacobs, Westchester Reform Temple, Scarsdale, NY

I reflect upon our Temple trip to Israel.  Whether it was the children or the adults, I believe that everyone returned from the experience greatly enriched, and feeling a deepened connection, not only to the land and people of Israel, but to the religious heritage that is embodied in modern-day Israel... surely one of the most meaningful highlights was the Bar and Bat Mitzvah service that we held on Masada. We came there during Chanukah, and in the spirit of that holiday, affirmed that the lights of Judaism still shine and were being rekindled and strengthened through us.
—Rabbi David Greenberg, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY

Dear Nir, Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate the key role that you played in making my first trip to Israel a truly memorable experience. Your encyclopedic knowledge of the ancient past, the modern era, and the present situation, your ability to communicate that knowledge so clearly, your willingness to share your own opinions, your informality and witty manner, and your love for Eretz Yisrael all made important contributions. To summarize, using the expression the surveys like to use but I generally don’t, you greatly exceeded my expectations! It has been a privilege to know you.
—Alan Strauss, Temple Isaiah, Lexington, MA

Noam, Just a word to thank you again for your great and dedicated work.  You were tireless and patient, and eloquent and comprehensive. All of our travelers had a wonderful time and they commented to me how much they enjoyed you.  We may not have been the easiest group – but – we were second to none in excitement! Todah ve’kol tuv!
—Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, New York, NY

There is only one word to describe our trip to Israel, “wondrous”. From start to finish, we were made to feel that Israel was our second home as we explored the whole country in 14 days. Sharing this spiritual experience with our Temple family and our Rabbi and his wife made it all the more special. Many thanks to our tour guide Francis, and our shomer, Guy, and to ARZA World for helping to make this all possible.
- Dr. David Hill, Temple Beth-El, Monroe, NY

ARZA created a perfect tour for adults and children as a congregational family trip. Their itinerary represented a perfect combination of learning and fun. The price was more than competitive. We are already planning a trip for next year and because of their terrific work, there is no doubt in our minds that we will do our trip with ARZA World Travel!
- Rabbi Fred Guttman, Temple Emanuel, Greensboro, NC

The experience of our ARZA Mission was truly wonderful. More than ever, it is important for American Jews to travel to Israel and see, with their own eyes, the incredible ingenuity and strength of Israelis.
—Rabbi Martin Lawson, Temple Emanu-El San Diego, CA

I cannot even begin to thank ARZA World for your work to make the tiyyul for Temple Emanuel of Winston-Salem, North Carolina a success. Where do I even begin? I'm ready to start talking about our next tiyyul. The group is ready to print shirts called, "I survived Rabbi Mark's tiyyul". I'm still recovering.
—Rabbi Mark Strauss-Cohn, Temple Emanuel, Winston Salem, NC

I wanted to thank all of you that made the Wilshire Boulevard Temple Mission to Israel a phenomenal experience. I can’t think of single thing I would have done differently—except more time on the trip. The guides were great; ARZA coordinated the trip without a hitch; Rabbi Steven Leder’s balance between providing knowledge, spirituality, Reform Judaism imperatives, and cultural emersion was a perfect blend.
–Richard Katz